Fianna Fáil Health Spokesperson Billy Kelleher has called on the Health Service Executive and the Minister for Health James Reilly to immediately deliver on the promise to establish a 24-hour centre to coordinate emergency transport for transplant patients.

Deputy Kelleher was speaking amid reports that this crucial service will not be up and running by tomorrow, as recommended by HIQA in the report into the Maedhbh McGivern case.

Deputy Kelleher commented, “HIQA made 17 recommendations in its report on the circumstances surrounding the failed transportation of Meadhbh McGivern for a liver transplant in London on July 2nd. A key recommendation was the establishment of National Aeromedical Coordination Centre to be based within the HSE National Ambulance Service.

“In the wake of the failures that led to Maedhbh McGivern missing her original liver transplant in London, the Minister for Health James Reilly stood up in the Dáil and said a tragedy like this should never be allowed to happen again. I agreed with him and welcomed his statement, and called on him to ensure that the all of HIQA’s recommendations are implemented within the stated time frame given the urgency of this matter.

“It was agreed that the HSE would establish the centre by tomorrow. However, it is now reported that they have written to Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin to say this will not happen within the agreed time-frame. This is extremely disappointing and it raises obvious fears about possible future failures.

“I want Minister Reilly to remember just how concerned he was in July about what happened to Meadhbh McGivern, and to now take an active interest now in ensuring that all the recommendations in the HIQA report are enforced in full without delay.”

Hey Micheal Martin, whats this rubbish about you defending 180 Garda statements that didn't hold up in Court.. What strokes you trying to pulling in saving this broken institutions face.
A) Disband it, its too steeped in civil war politics.
B) Establish a new force with a separate investigative wing.
C) As the Police are a seperate institution to politics then make the new Commissioner an electable position to ensure public confidence instead of 'political' confidence (other countries do it)